7 Layer Taco Salad

This 7 Layer Taco Salad is an easy recipe to make for parties. Full of delicious Mexican-inspired flavors, you can top it with chicken for a healthy main dish or serve it on it’s own as great side dish to pass.

7 Layer Taco Salad

I’m certainly no expert in Mexican cuisine. And I won’t try to tell you that any of these type of recipes that I create are authentic. But I still enjoy creating recipes that highlight the amazing flavors that you typically find in Mexican food.

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I thought this 7 Layer Taco Salad recipe would be a fun and lighter twist on a 7 Layer Dip. It’s perfect to throw together and bring to a picnic or get together and has flavors that everyone loves!

I’ll admit, this was pretty darn hard to photograph, and even harder not to eat while I was taking the photos. My window kept casting a reflection on my giant trifle dish (similar). But I plowed through and promptly went to town on a giant bowl of this salad and then proceeded to send the rest of the week enjoying it for lunch with chicken on top (ps- great meal prep!).

In the interest of keeping things simple and tasty, I made a quick little taco salad dressing with Ranch and Taco Seasoning. It was quick and easy and added a great creaminess! I also threw a dollop of salsa on top. Ya know, for good measure.

Tips for how to make taco salad layered

For each layer, begin by placing it around the perimeter of the bowl to define each layer and then fill the middle with the rest. This will allow you get that pretty layered look that wows everyone!

Remove the seeds from the tomatoes to make sure there’s less liquid. I also use roma (or plum) tomatoes as they have less liquid and seeds in them.

This makes a very large amount, so it’s perfect to feed a crowd. But you can always cut it down if need be.

If you’re looking to make this into less of a side dish and more of a full meal, it tastes fantastic with chicken over it (try my Easiest Slow Cooker Taco Meat EVER– it’s SO good!)!

Frequently asked questions about making a layered taco salad

Can you make taco salad ahead? Yes! In fact, this also makes an awesome meal prep. That’s exactly why I serve the dressing on the side and I’d probably add the chips just before serving to preserve the crispy texture.

How long does this taco salad? Around 4 days covered in the refrigerator.

Can I use different ingredients? Totally, switch them out as you’d like. Just be aware that things with a lot of liquid won’t last as long and my not layer well.

How do you serve a layered salad? I like to serve it in the big, clear bowl with straight sides like a trifle bowl. And when you actual serve it, be sure to dig the utensils deep, all the way to the bottom to get some of all the delicious flavors!

Helpful tools:

This 7 Layer Taco Salad is an easy recipe to make for parties. Full of delicious Mexican-inspired flavors, you can top it with chicken for a healthy main dish or serve it on it's own as great side dish to pass.

Course:
Side Dish

Cuisine:
Mexican

Keyword:
taco salad

Servings: 8servings

Author: Jessy Freimann, The Life Jolie

Ingredients

Taco Salad:

15 ounce packagepre-washed lettuce,chopped

2 15.515.5 ounce cansblack beans, rinsed and well drained

1 16 ounce bagfrozen corn, thawed and well drained

6mediumRoma tomatoes,seeded and cut to a large dice

2cupscheddar cheese,shredded

1-2 2.25 ounce canssliced black olives

2scallions, chopped

Added bonus: tortilla chips, crumbled

Taco Ranch Dressing:

1cupranch dressing

2Tablespoonstaco seasoning

Instructions

Taco salad:

In a deep, clear glass bowl, start by placing the lettuce. For each layer, begin by placing it around the perimeter of the bowl to define each layer and then fill the middle with the rest.

The second layer is the black beans and the third is the corn.

After the corn, add a layer of tomatoes and top it with a layer of cheddar cheese.

Finally, sprinkle on the olives, scallions and crumbled tortilla chips if you're craving some crunch.

Taco Ranch dressing

Mix the ranch dressing and taco seasoning until fully combined.

Serve on the side of or drizzle over the salad.

Recipe Notes

Add some chicken or other protein to make this a delicious main dish!

If you tried this recipe please comment and rate it 🙂 I love hearing your feedback and answering your questions! And if you make this please tag me on Instagram with @thelifejolie so I can share it <3

April 20, 2017 at 10:52 am
Parenting isn't easy -- frankly, some days I thought it was thankless. But eventually you have a walking, talking functional person. Mine is 21 now and finishing her junior year. In the end it's all worth it! Now that she's legal, I can see us enjoying this dip with a cold beer!

April 20, 2017 at 11:34 am
Now there's a salad I can get down with! You did great with the pictures!!! And don't worry so much about the kid. She seems super well behaved, and it might just be a thing she picked up from other kids. It'll pass soon.
Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy recently posted...Black Truffle and Goat Cheese Savory Waffles

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